At least six people have died and five others were injured after a bus caught fire in the Swiss municipality of Kerzers, in the canton of Fribourg. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible act of arson.

The regional postal bus was operating a scheduled route from Düdingen to Kerzers and was nearing its final stop when the fire started. Witnesses reported that the vehicle was rapidly engulfed in flames, leaving passengers with limited time to exit. Firefighters later extinguished the blaze, but the bus was largely destroyed.

Police and prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation following reports that a man on board allegedly poured petrol on himself and set himself on fire, initiating the blaze inside the bus. Authorities stated that this account has not yet been fully verified, but preliminary findings suggest a deliberate act.

A spokeswoman for the Fribourg cantonal police stated that there is information indicating a person was responsible for the fire. Specialists in fire and crime-scene analysis are working with forensic teams to reconstruct the sequence of events. The area around the bus stop has been sealed off while investigators examine debris and document the site.

Of the five injured individuals, three were taken to hospital with burns and smoke inhalation, while two others received treatment at the scene. Emergency services deployed nine ambulances, an air ambulance, and multiple fire engines, reflecting the scale of the response.

Authorities have not released the identities or ages of the victims. Police have also not confirmed whether the suspected perpetrator is among the dead or injured, citing the ongoing investigation and the need to notify families before disclosing further details.

Local officials have expressed condolences to the families of those affected and have emphasized the importance of avoiding speculation until investigators provide confirmed information about the cause and progression of the fire.